Heat exchanger assembly for motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a main exchanger with a body mounted between two manifolds, whereto is assembled at least a secondary exchanger mounted between two manifolds such that a common air stream (F) can pass through the respective exchanger bodies. Each of the main exchanger manifolds is provided, at one end, with a projecting base forming a housing for a pin of the second exchanger, and at another end, with a projecting lug whereon can be locked a clip removably fitted on the secondary exchanger. Another secondary exchanger can be assembled in the same manner on the secondary exchanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a heat exchanger assembly for a motor vehicle.

It relates more particularly to a heat exchanger assembly comprising amain exchanger having a body mounted between two manifolds, on which isfitted at least one secondary exchanger having a body mounted betweentwo manifolds, so that a common air stream can pass through therespective bodies of the said exchangers.

The fitting of one or more secondary exchangers onto a main exchanger,such as a cooling radiator of a motor vehicle engine, is already known,so as to form an assembly, also called a module, ready to be installedin the vehicle. This secondary exchanger is most frequently formed of asupercharging air cooler of the engine or of an air-conditioningcondenser.

In the module formed in this manner, the secondary exchanger may bedisposed, according to the case, either upstream or downstream from themain exchanger, in relation to the direction in which the air streampassing through the respective bodies of the exchangers circulates.

The fitting of the exchanger or exchangers onto the main exchanger isobtained generally by means of lugs integral with the secondaryexchanger and screws introduced into the manifolds of the mainexchanger. These lugs may be made of plastic material and mouldedintegrally with the secondary exchanger, or be metallic and solderedonto the secondary exchanger.

Usually, the fixing of these lugs is achieved by tapping screwsintroduced into studs or bosses which the manifolds of the mainexchanger have.

Such an assembly by screws is an expensive operation which isincompatible with the high rates imposed by assembly lines of theautomotive industry.

Moreover, the dismounting of the exchangers in the event of interventionon the vehicle is often made difficult.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is in particular to overcome theabove-mentioned drawbacks.

For this purpose it proposes an exchanger assembly of the type definedin the introduction, in which each of the manifolds of the mainexchanger is equipped, at one end, with a projecting base forming ahousing for a pin of the secondary exchanger and, at another end, aprojecting lug onto which can be snapped a clip removably fixed on thesecondary exchanger.

Thus, the assembly of exchangers is performed by simple nesting andsnapping operations without it being necessary to call upon screws andparticular tools. The mounting of the exchangers, as well as theirpossible dismantling, are therefore considerably assisted by this.

Other complementary or alternative characteristics of the invention aregiven below:

one of the bases defines a housing having a shape paired with that of apin, whereas the other base defines a housing offering a clearance forthe mounting of the other pin.

Each of the manifolds of the main exchanger is equipped with a base at alower end and with a lug at an upper end.

Each of the manifolds of the main exchanger, as well as its base and itslug, are made from a single piece by moulding, in particular from aplastic material.

Each of the pins is formed at one end of a manifold of the secondaryexchanger.

Each of the pins is projectingly formed at a lower end of a manifold ofthe secondary exchanger.

Each of the pins is formed directly by a lower end of a manifold of thesecondary exchanger.

Each of the clips comprises a first portion capable of being snappedinto a lug of the main exchanger and a second portion equipped with ahousing in which another pin of the secondary exchanger can be shrunkon.

This other pin is attached to an upper end of a manifold of thesecondary exchanger.

This other pin is formed directly by an upper end of a manifold of thesecondary exchanger.

The secondary exchanger is itself equipped with two bases similar tothose of the main exchanger and with two lugs similar to those of themain exchanger, which allows a first secondary exchanger to be fittedonto the main exchanger and, if necessary, a second secondary exchangerto be fitted onto the first secondary exchanger.

The main exchanger is a cooling radiator of a motor vehicle engine,whereas the secondary exchanger is a supercharging air cooler of theengine or an air-conditioning condenser.

The supercharging air cooler is equipped with two bases and two lugs,which allows it to be fitted directly onto the cooling radiator and acondenser to be fitted onto this supercharging air cooler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description given only by way of example, reference ismade to the attached drawings, on which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an assembly of heat exchangersaccording to the invention that comprises a main exchanger on which twosecondary exchangers are fitted;

FIG. 2 is another partial perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a main exchangerand a secondary exchanger;

FIG. 4 is another partial perspective view on an enlarged scale of theassembly of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of another assembly comprising amain exchanger and a secondary exchanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Reference is firstly made to FIGS. 1 and 2 which show an assembly 10composed of three heat exchangers: a main exchanger 12, a firstsecondary exchanger 14 fitted on the exchanger 12, a second secondaryexchanger 16 fitted on the exchanger 14. In the example, the exchanger12 is a cooling radiator of a motor vehicle engine, the exchanger 14 asupercharging air cooler of the engine and exchanger 16 anair-conditioning condenser.

The main exchanger 12 comprises a body or core 18 mounted between twomanifolds 20 and 22, both produced by moulding a plastic material. Themanifold 22 comprises two connection pieces 24 and 26 serving as theentrance and the exit of the cooling liquid of the engine.

The secondary exchanger 14 comprises a body or core 28 mounted betweentwo manifolds 30 and 32 produced by moulding a plastic material. Thesetwo manifolds are equipped respectively with two connection pieces 34and 36 serving as the entrance and the exit of a flow of compressed airintended for the supercharging of the engine.

The secondary exchanger 16 comprises a body or core 38 mounted betweentwo manifolds 40 and 42 produced from metal and having a cylindricalconfiguration. The manifold 40 is equipped with two joining pieces 44and 46 which form connection pieces for the entry and exit of arefrigerating medium circulating in an air-conditioning circuit.

The bodies or core 38, 28 and 18 are capable of being traversed by aflow of air F produced by the speed of the vehicle and/or by one or moreappropriate electric fan units.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided to assemble theexchangers 12, 14 and 16 by the intermediary of their respectivemanifolds.

Respective bases 48 and 50 that protrude laterally are moulded in onepiece with the manifolds 20 and 22 of the main exchanger 12. These basesdelimit housings for respective pins 52, 54 projectingly formedrespectively at the lower end of the manifold 30 and at that of themanifold 32 of the secondary exchanger 14. These pins have substantiallythe same general cylindrical shape and the same spacing as the lowerends 56 and 58 of the manifolds 40 and 42 of the secondary exchanger 16.

The base 48 (FIGS. 1 and 4) comprises a dish 60 attached to the manifold20 by a lateral lug 62. This dish 60 is closely adapted to thecylindrical shape of the pin 52. Similarly, the base 50 (FIG. 2)comprises a dish 64 intended to receive the pin 54 and attached to themanifold 22 by a lateral lug 66. However, the dish 64 comprises awidened contour to enable the pin 54 to be received in spite of thedimensional variations of the exchangers.

Furthermore, with the manifolds 20 and 22 are integrally moulded, at theupper portion, respective lugs 68 and 70 that are projectingly formed.Onto each of these lugs can be snapped a clip 72 or respectively 74,which is able to be removably fixed onto the secondary exchanger 14.Each of these clips, for example the clip 72, comprises a first portion76 capable of snapping into the lug 68 and a second portion 78delimiting a circular housing 80 capable of receiving a cylindrical pin82 attached to the manifold 30 of the exchanger 14 by a lateral lug 84(FIG. 1).

In corresponding manner, the clip 74 defines a housing for a cylindricalpin 86 attached to the manifold 32 by a lug 88. The pins 82 and 86 areintegrally moulded with the manifolds 30 and 32 on which they depend.

The pins 82 and 86 have substantially the same configuration as therespective upper ends 90 and 92 of the manifolds 40 and 42.

Thus, to fit the secondary exchanger 14 onto the main exchanger 12, itis sufficient to engage the pins 52 and 54 in the bases 48 and 50 whilstarranging the two exchangers in a parallel position. Then, it issufficient to position the two clips 72 and 74 by simple nesting andsnapping operations.

As can be seen on FIGS. 1 and 2, the secondary exchanger 14 is equippedin the lower portion with two bases 94 and 96 similar to the bases 48and 50 of the exchanger 12 and having the same spacing. Moreover, thisexchanger 14 comprises in the upper portion two lugs 98 and 100 havingthe same configurations as the lugs 68 and 70 of the exchanger 12. Thebase 94 and the lug 98 are integrally moulded with the manifold 30,whereas the base 96 and the lug 100 are integrally moulded with themanifold 32.

As a result, the exchanger 16 may be fitted onto the exchanger 14 in asimilar manner by nesting the ends 56 and 58 of the manifolds 40 and 42into the bases 94 and 96. Then it is sufficient to keep the exchanger 16at the upper portion by clips 102 and 104 similar to the clips 72 and74.

It will be understood that the exchangers 14 and 16 are thusinterchangeable, which allows as a refinement, as shown in FIG. 3, thesecondary exchanger 16 (condenser) to be fitted directly onto the mainexchanger 12 (radiator) in the case in which the vehicle does notrequire a supercharging air cooler.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the mounting of the assembly of FIG. 3. It canbe seen that the base 48 receives the lower end 56 of the exchanger 16.Furthermore, the manifold 20 of the exchanger 12 comprises in the lowerportion a rod 106 allowing the mounting of the exchanger 12, andtherefore of the assembly 10, on the structure (not represented) of thevehicle.

In the refinement of FIG. 5, to which reference is now made, thesecondary exchanger 16 is also fitted directly onto the main exchanger12. The manifold 42 of the exchanger 16 is attached to a tank 48 ofgeneral cylindrical shape which extends vertically. In this embodiment,the attachment is performed by a clip 110 which differs slightly fromthe clip 74 that was described above. This clip comprises a firstportion 112 equipped with a pin 114 and an elastic lug 116 capable ofcooperating with a lug 118 of the exchanger 12, and a second portion 120capable of nesting directly onto the upper end of the manifold 42.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, it is possible to produceseveral different assemblies: exchanger 12 +exchanger 14; exchanger12+exchanger 16; exchanger 12+exchanger 14+exchanger 16.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments given aboveand extends to other refinements.

It is possible, in particular, to specify that each of the manifoldscomprises a longitudinal rib capable of coming to bear against amanifold of a secondary exchanger mounted on the main exchanger.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger assembly, comprising a mainexchanger having a body mounted between two manifolds, on which isfitted at least one secondary exchanger having a body mounted betweentwo manifolds so that a common air stream (F) can pass through therespective bodies of the exchanger, wherein each of the manifolds of themain exchanger is equipped, at one end, with a projecting base forming ahousing for a pin of the secondary exchanger and, at another end, with aprojecting lug onto which can be snapped a clip that is removably fixedon the secondary exchanger.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1, whereinone of the bases defines a housing having a shape paired with that of apin, whereas the other base defines a housing offering a clearance forthe mounting of the other pin.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1,wherein each of the manifolds of the main exchanger is equipped with abase at a lower end and with a lug at an upper end.
 4. An assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein each of the manifolds of the mainexchanger as well as its base and its lug are made of a single piece bymoulding from a plastic material.
 5. An assembly according to claim 1,wherein each of the pins is formed at one end of a manifold of thesecondary exchanger.
 6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein eachof the pins is projectingly formed at a lower end of one of themanifolds of the secondary exchanger.
 7. An assembly according to claim5, wherein each of the pins is formed directly by a lower end of one ofthe manifolds of the secondary exchanger.
 8. An assembly according toclaim 1, wherein each of the clips comprises a first portion capable ofbeing snapped into a lug of the main exchanger and a second portionequipped with a housing in which another pin of the secondary exchangercan be shrunk on.
 9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein saidother pin is attached to an upper end of a manifold of the secondaryexchanger.
 10. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein said other pinis formed directly by an upper end of a manifold of the secondaryexchanger.
 11. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the secondexchanger is itself equipped with two bases similar to those of the mainexchanger and with two lugs similar to those of the main exchanger,which allows a first secondary exchanger to be fitted onto the mainexchanger and, if necessary, a second secondary exchanger to be fittedonto the first secondary exchanger.
 12. An assembly according to claim1, wherein the main exchanger is a cooling radiator of a motor vehicleengine, whereas the secondary exchanger is a supercharging air cooler ofthe engine or an air-conditioning condenser.
 13. An assembly accordingto claim 12, wherein the supercharging air cooler is equipped with twolugs, which enables it to be fitted directly onto the cooling radiatorand an air-conditioning condenser to be fitted onto this superchargingair cooler.